The race returns May 3, 2025. Registration opens Sept. 1st.
The entire half marathon is run on paved surfaces in Peninsula State Park. This U.S. Track and Field certified course starts and finishes near Nicolet Beach and begins at 10:00am.
The course winds through the park, giving runners breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, shaded areas through the woods, challenging hills and ever-changing scenery throughout one of Wisconsin’s most popular parks.
Sorry, no dogs or strollers are allowed on the course due to space and safety concerns. Walkers are welcome and should plan to finish by the time the course opens to traffic at 1:30 p.m. To get the road open in time, our crews must begin dismantling the finish shute at 1:15 pm.
Official race shirts will be given out at Packet Pickup, and medals will be awarded at the finish line. Each runner receives a free beer or other beverage at the post-race party at Nicolet Bay, where we’ll have live music at the tent.
Prizes will be presented to the top finishers in each category – Overall, Masters (40+), Grand Masters (50+), and Senior Grand Masters (60+). The top five finishers in each age group will be awarded medals.
For registration questions contact Jordan Burress at jordan@peninsulapacers.com.
Nicolet Bay 5k
The Nicolet Bay 5k begins at 10:15 a.m., just after the start of the half marathon.
The race begins a few hundred yards west of the Half Marathon starting line on Shore Road. Participants will follow the out-and-back course to the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, where runners will turn around to head back on Shore Road to the finish line.
The Nicolet Bay 5k will use the same finish line as the half marathon.
The new route for the 5k will make for a cleaner finishing area for both races, allowing nearly all 5k participants to finish before the half marathon runners come through, while providing amazing views of Horseshoe Island, the lake, and the lighthouse.
MP3 players are allowed, but please keep the volume down in order to hear emergency vehicles or safety/directional information. Sorry, no dogs or strollers are allowed on the course due to space and safety concerns. Walkers are welcome.
Official race shirts will be given out at Packet Pickup Friday, or at Nicolet Bay Saturday morning. Each runner receives a free beer or beverage at the post-race party at Nicolet Bay, where we’ll have live music at the tent.
More Race Weekend Details
Packet Pickup
Friday, May 2: Baileys Harbor Town Hall (2392 County F, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202) from 1 – 8 pm
Saturday, May 3: At the Runners Concourse at Nicolet Beach, from 8 – 9:00 am
On Friday, May 2, runners may pick up their packets from 1 – 8 p.m. at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall (Packet pickup on race day is at Nicolet Bay inside the park). Participants will find Door County Half Marathon gear, race information, park stickers and event passes for parking at Peninsula State Park, merchandise from Run Away Shoes of Green Bay.
On Race Day, packets may be picked up at Peninsula State Park from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Reminder – parking is limited in Peninsula State Park on race day. Please check the transportation and parking information sections of this site for more information.
Post-race Party
Once you finish, you’ll be able to grab a beer from One Barrel Brewing Company in the Runners Concourse! (You MUST HAVE YOUR ID TO GET A BEER).
Arrival Times on Race Day
On race day, two entrances will be open at Peninsula State Park.
The Fish Creek entrance will be open until 9:00 a.m. and the Ephraim entrance will be open until 9:30 a.m. Park Greeters will be at both locations to assist you. Participants should plan to arrive between 8:00 and 9:15 a.m. At 9:45 am all roads inside the park will be closed to traffic except shuttle buses and emergency vehicles. Roads re-open at 1:30 pm. Late arrivals may experience significant delays in getting to the parking lot and arriving at the race on time. Also, roads inside the park will be closed to traffic during the race.
Please Note: Drivers will not be able to drop off runners at the park. We offer shuttles for all runners who need a ride to the park.
Medical personnel will be available throughout the course and a medical tent will be located at the finish line. Aid stations for the half marathon will be located near miles 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12. Aid stations for the 5k will be located at the 1.5 mile turnaround.
Chip Timing
The Door County Half Marathon and Nicolet Bay 5K will be chip timed. Timing chips are attached to your bib. To ensure proper recording, wear your bib on the front of your torso. The chance of your chip not reading increases significantly if it is covered by clothing or worn on the side of your leg or your back. Results will be available after the race in the big tent in the Runners’ Concourse online.
Cell Phones
Your cell phone may not work in the park. Please designate a location to meet up with your family and friends after the race.
Temperatures
Door County Temperatures in early May range from lows in the mid 30’s to highs in the upper 50’s. Keep in mind it will be cooler by the lake. Gear Check will be available at Nicolet Bay.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed in most areas of the Peninsula State Park; however, the park does not allow dogs in Nicolet Bay Beach, the location of the Runners’ Concourse. We do not allow dogs on the race course, or in shuttles. Thank you for your cooperation.
Strollers
Sorry, no strollers are allowed on the course in either race.
Gear Check
Drop off your bag at the Gear Check Tent in the Runners’ Concourse, near the finish line for both races and centrally located between the two starting lines. (Runners should bring their own bag to check)
Shuttles
Shuttles will do a one-time pick up for guests at designated lodging sponsors at 8 am. Additional shuttles will run continuously from our Park and Ride locations, Skyway Drive-In in Fish Creek and Gibraltar School in Fish Creek, from 8 am – 2:30 pm. It is about a 20 minute ride from any of our stops to the Runners’ Concourse inside the park. Shuttles will make return stops to our lodging sponsors and our Park and Ride locations from 11am – 2:30 pm. Please note designated roads inside the park will be closed until 1:30 pm.
Please note, shuttle rides departing from any of the pickup locations in Ephraim or Fish Creek will take about 20 minutes to get to the Runners Concourse inside the park.
Return shuttles will leave the park from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., departing every half hour to all pickup locations.
Parking
Parking at Peninsula State Park is limited to 650 vehicles on race day, so carpooling is suggested. If you plan to drive to the park, you must purchase an annual park sticker ($28 for WI plates, $38 for out-of-state plates) or a daily pass ($10, $13) if you don’t already have one.
Both are available at packet pickup on Friday from 1-8 pm or on race day at the Fish Creek and Ephraim Entrances. The earliest time drivers may exit the park is 10:45 a.m. Parking is not allowed in Nicolet Bay Parking Lot at any time on Race Day.
Pace Teams
Veteran Chicago Marathon pacer Krista Eliot has organized a team of experienced pacers to guide you to your best race! Find pace team captains and times here>>
Showers
Participants are welcome to shower after the race at the Northern Door YMCA in Fish Creek, located between the two park entrances on Hwy 42 across the street from Gibraltar School. Simply show your bib number at the front desk. Please plan to bring your own towel.
Awards Ceremony
Overall and master winners for the half marathon and 5k will be awarded with prize packages and age group winners will receive medals. First place overall and masters winners are not eligible to win age group awards.
Spectators
Spectators are encouraged to come to the park to watch the Door County Half Marathon and Nicolet Bay 5K.
There will be plenty of places along the route for spectators to cheer on their favorite runner. Maps highlighting viewing spots will be available at Packet Pickup or at the Peninsula State Park entrances. Spectators are welcome to ride to the park on the free shuttles. For more information please refer to the shuttle and parking information sections.
On race day, stop by the Information Table in the Runners’ Concourse at Nicolet Bay.
